Issue 33
January 2001

Copyright
Prairie Grains Magazine
January 2001

“Toolshed” New Online Ag Info Network

The MWRPC has created the Toolshed Ag Information Network, a system for ag-based information over the Internet. It will function much the same way as a regional radio network, where local and regional content is developed in a central location and then is distributed to many independent outlets. These outlets are local radio stations in the case of a radio network. In the case of Toolshed, the outlets are local or regional web sites. The organizations that choose to join the Toolshed network will be able to place content within their web sites in a variety of formats. Viewers will be able to see all the Toolshed information from the web site of their choice.

The Toolshed Ag Information Network will include up-to-date news and weather information for North Dakota and Minnesota, with drawing traffic to member web sites a key goal. Network features targeted at producers will include ag news updated on a daily basis, futures and local market prices, basis charts, Red River Farm Network radio broadcasts and archives, commodity marketing Q&As, LDP information, and industry contacts.

Viewers can find information offered through Toolshed by clicking on the Toolshed logo that can be found on sites that carry the Network, including www.smallgrains.org.

Directing the Toolshed development effort is Tara Dagman, who joined the staff of the MWRPC in 2000 as program director. Originally from Enderlin, ND, Dagman is a graduate of North Dakota State University, with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Economics. Before coming to the MWRPC, Dagman was employed by US West as an Internet instructor for the state of North Dakota.